Sox sign pitcher Matsuo

by Randy Booth on Mar 31, 2008 12:35 AM EDT

According to the Globe's Extra Bases, the Red Sox signed Japanese pitcher Terumasa Matsuo:

Matsuo was the Shikoku Island League Most Valuable Player in 2007, when he led the league with 15 wins (15-3 record) and 159 strikeouts. He posted a 1.72 ERA in 152.0 innings over 30 starts.

Matsuo is expected to report to extended spring training camp in Fort Myers, Fla. early this week.

I like his stats, but it worries me that he is just signing now with numbers like that. Let's see how he performs...

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So that's like a Japanese indy league?

Impossible to tell how the stats will translate. He'll probably get a shot in Pawtucket.

Bottom 9th B:1 S:0 O:0 With Bill Mueller batting, Dave Roberts steals (1) 2nd base.

by britsoxfan on Mar 31, 2008 3:09 AM EDT reply actions

What sort of league is that?

Is it a major league in Japan, or a minor one?

"You know you're having a bad day when the fifth inning rolls around and they drag the warning track." - Mike Flanagan, Baltimore Orioles pitcher, 1992.

by SoxDevil on Mar 31, 2008 12:59 PM EDT reply actions

It's an independent league with 8 teams, unaffiliated with the major Central or Pacific Leagues.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shikoku_Island_League
I like the teams' names. Indigo Sox, Mandarin Pirates, Olive Guyners...

by 0157H7 on Mar 31, 2008 1:44 PM EDT reply actions

More info on Matsuo

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080330&content_id=2467112&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb
He's 26 and according to Sox scouting coordinator John Deeble can throw four pitches for strikes.

mpjc, a poster on SoSH translated some Japanese articles about Matsuo, including one saying "his greatest weapons are a 150 kilo (93 mph) fastball and a slider with good location."
http://sonsofsamhorn.net/index.php?s=23b73b194d3b1d9ad530faeb58e52115&showtopic=29637&pid=1449197&st=0&#entry1449197

by 0157H7 on Mar 31, 2008 1:55 PM EDT reply actions

I like it.

You can never have too much pitching. This is a low-risk, mid/high-reward signing. Worst case scenario, he winds up in Pawtucket's rotation. Best case, those numbers translate over to the majors. Unless we payed millions for this guy, I like this deal.

by Schulz on Mar 31, 2008 6:20 PM EDT reply actions